Path to Overlook

Best Time to Hike This Stretch

The switchbacks lose shade quickly once the sun clears the rim, and North Rim facilities are day-use only in 2026 — plan an early start and confirm current seasonal access.

Trail Tips

• Expect thinner air and cooler temps than the canyon floor, given the 8,241-foot trailhead elevation.
• No water or shade along this stretch; carry your own.
• A good introduction to North Kaibab's character before committing to the longer descent toward Supai Tunnel.

Getting to Coconino Overlook

Start at the North Kaibab Trailhead, elevation around 8,241 feet, and follow the well-graded but exposed switchbacks cut into the cliff face. This is a fraction of the North Kaibab's full 14-mile run to the Colorado River, so most hikers turn around here or continue on to Supai Tunnel, about a mile farther down.

What to Expect on the Path to Coconino Overlook

This short stretch of the North Kaibab Trail drops from the North Rim trailhead down through switchbacks to Coconino Overlook, a sandstone perch above Roaring Springs Canyon. It's the most popular first taste of below-the-rim hiking on the North Rim — an out-and-back of about 1.4 miles with roughly 790 feet of elevation loss on the way down and all of it back on the return climb. The view opens down Roaring Springs Canyon toward Bright Angel Canyon, with layered cliffs and buttes stacked below.